Mountains to Sea 2024- Waitlisted

24-28 September 2024

This firm favourite returns. The name paints the picture: from a stay in Ohakune under the shadow of Mt Tongariro, to relaxing by the sea at Raglan. Discover the silica terraces and geysers of Orakei Korako and cruise on the Waikato River to experience the power of the remarkable Huka Falls. Step into the enchanting world of Hobbiton and enjoy the delicious “fayre” at the Green Dragon Inn. 

Day 1

Tuesday 24 September - Travelling to Taupo

With transfers arranged from Wellington, Kapiti, Palmerston North, Wairarapa and other surrounding areas, we meet at the Verdict Café in Palmerston North to enjoy morning tea together before departing for Taupo. Travelling via Hawke’s Bay, we visit Gwavas Garden and Homestead at Tikokino on the SH50 route. With a little time to wander both the grounds and house, we get a rare opportunity to view this beautiful historic family home and garden. Parts of the country gardens were laid out in the 1880’s and the homestead was built in 1890. Hosted by Phyllida and her husband Stuart, our visit also includes lunch. This afternoon our travels to Taupo take us over the Napier-Taupo Road, an historic coaching route in days gone by. We dine in tonight at our hotel with lakeside views.

Dat 2

Wednesday 25 September - Explore Thermal Taupo

This morning we travel out to the hidden valley of Orakei Korako, to experience the eerie majesty of this thermal area. We cross the Waikato River by boat and then have time to explore a world of geysers and see some of the largest silica terraces in the world. After enjoying lunch back in Taupo (own choice and cost), we make the short journey to the Aratiatia Dam site and then join our Huka Falls River Cruise. With time firstly to view the truly spectacular sight of the Aratiatia Dam emptying into and filling the river gorge below, we will board the specially designed and covered in riverboat for our cruise which takes us upstream to view the fabulous Huka Falls. Motoring up the crystal waters of the Waikato River, you will also see birdlife, natural hot streams and see what natural energy drives the Wairakei Geothermal Power Station. After returning to our hotel, we have time to relax before dinner in house. Alternatively, we can arrange a transfer for anyone wanting to take a relaxing pre-dinner bathe in the natural thermal pools of the De Bretts Taupo Hot Springs (entry at own cost).

Day 3

Thursday 26 September - Taupo - Hobbiton - Raglan

After leaving Taupo, we travel up through the lush countryside of the Waikato. On a farm near Matamata, we stop to visit “Hobbiton” – the film location of the Shire, as seen in the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. Here, we enjoy a guided tour of the film set, with the chance to view the hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn, the Mill, and other structures. We also enjoy lunch here before travelling to our coastal destination of Raglan. After exploring the sheltered harbour and the coastline that attracts thousands of surfers every year, we should have time to browse the eclectic shops before checking in to our motel. We dine out tonight at the Harbour View Hotel, a centrally located, historical, colonial hotel, just a short stroll from our motel.

Day 4

Friday 27 September - Raglan via Waitomo Caves to Ohakune

After departing Raglan this morning, we travel to the magical underground wonderland of the Waitomo Caves. We will see formations known as the Catacombs, the Pipe Organ and the Banquet Chamber as well as the magnificent Cathedral, which is 18 metres high and world-renowned for its superb acoustics. Today’s highlight is a boat trip through the spectacular Glowworm Grotto where we will glide silently through the Grotto itself, lit only by these tiny living lights.

After re-emerging above ground, our journey continues through the heart of the King Country to Te Kuiti where we stop for lunch (own choice and cost). Weather permitting, we detour through the Whakapapa Village and drive to the “Top-o-the-Bruce” to Whakapapa Ski field, with an option of taking the Sky Waka gondola (own cost) up this sacred mountain, or if you prefer, you can play in the snow and enjoy a coffee at the Mountain Café. We dine in on our final night together, snug in our hotel nestled beneath the Turoa skifield side of the mountain in the bustling ski resort town.

Day 4

Saturday 28 September - Travelling Home

With a welcome later start, we are homeward bound. We will have a chance to visit the memorial for the Tangiwhai train disaster before we stop in Taihape for lunch (own choice and cost) and arrive back in Palmerston North in time to meet connecting transfers for those travellers continuing to Wellington and Wairarapa.

The cost of the tour includes

  • Good quality motel and hotel accommodation
  • 2 course or buffet dinners
  • All breakfasts
  • Morning tea Meet and Greet on Day 1
  • All coach travel
  • Gwavas Homestead and Garden tour with lunch
  • Orakei Korako Geothermal Park and Caves
  • Huka Falls River Cruise
  • Hobbiton guided tour, and lunch
  • Dinner at Harbour View Hotel
  • Waitomo Caves guided tour

Departure Detail

Before you book a tour with Tranzit Tours, please take the time to read and understand these Terms and Conditions below.

Pricing Validity

All costs associated with each tour are outlined in full within each tour itinerary. All pricing quoted is valid for the dates of tour when booked.

Reservations and Payments

Bookings for all Tranzit tours can be made through any Tranzit Coachlines Reservations Centre or an approved Travel Agent. Any person making a booking for others shall be deemed to have accepted these Terms and Conditions on behalf of all individuals they are booking on a tour and it is the responsibility of the person making the booking to bring these Terms and conditions to the attention of those individuals booked.

A deposit as stated in the Tour Itinerary is payable to secure the booking.

The balance must be paid in full by the date stated in the Tour Itinerary.

Any reservation made within fourteen (14) days of the tour departure must be paid in full at the time of booking.

Cancellations, Postponements and Alterations

Cancellations by the Customer

Cancellations 45+ days before tour departure date – a cancellation fee valued at 15% of your deposit, plus any other fees charged by other providers such as accommodation, ferry, activities etc.Cancellations 44 – 8 days before tour departure date – a cancellation fee valued at 15% of the total tour cost, plus any other fees charged by other providers such as accommodation, ferry, activities etc.

Cancellations within 7 days before tour departure date – a cancellation fee valued at 25% of the total tour cost, plus any other fees charged by other providers such as accommodation, ferry, activities etc.No refunds will be made for cancellations made within one day of departure or once travel has commenced. Refunds will not be provided for unused portions of a tour, unless the Customer can provide genuine reason and documentary evidence that services were unable to be utilised (and a refund if applicable is available from the other provider) in which case the company will review each request and may provide a partial refund at the sole discretion of the company.

Cancellations of one half of a twin share booking will result in the Customer cancelling being charged the cost of a single booking, if the Company is unable to match the twin share booking with another Customer.

Alterations by the Customer

The Customer may transfer their booking to another person for the same tour and commencement date, but only if the other person satisfies all of Tranzit Tours requirements in relation to the tour and provides us a completed Booking Form. The Customer must notify Tranzit Tours in writing of the intended transfer at least 30 days prior to the commencement date of the tour. A $60 transfer fee per person/per transfer will apply (in addition to any supplier change fees).

Cancellations or Postponements by the Company

Tranzit Tours reserves the right to cancel, reschedule or postpone a tour. With the exception of the Force Majeure section below, Tranzit Tours will:In the event of a tour being cancelled by the company prior to departure and not postponed – refund the total amount paid in respect of that tour or provide a credit, but will have no further liability to the Customer.

In the event of a tour being postponed – rebook the Customer for the new departure date or provide a credit, but will have no further liability to the Customer.

In the event of a Force Majeure event that occurs prior to, or during, a tour such as but not limited to fire, flood, volcanic eruption, earthquake, avalanche, severe weather, power outages, labour disruptions, pandemic, government controls or other events outside Tranzit Tours control that interrupts the ability to operate the tour in full or in part, or if Tranzit Tours determines that the quality of the tour or the health and safety of the Customer would be compromised, Tranzit Tours reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or shorten the tour and will be excused and released from its obligations without liability of any kind. Customers will receive a credit for postponed tours. For cancelled or shortened tours, refunds in these circumstances will be in full less any unrecoverable costs (i.e. expenses already incurred or fees charged by other providers).

The Customer will be advised of any increased tour costs as a result of the postponement. Credits will be equal to the value of the payment made and must be used within 12 months. Customers are strongly advised to take out travel insurance.

In the event of cancellation or postponement by the company, Tranzit Tours is not responsible for any consequential loss incurred by the Customer. Customers are again advised to take out travel insurance.

Alterations by the Company

Before Tour Commencement: If a major change to the tour needs to be made before departure, we will inform the Customer of the change as soon as practicable and will advise of any consequential price increase or decrease.Tranzit Tours reserves the right to alter a tour (including the itinerary) and substitute accommodation facilities should unforeseen circumstances beyond our control make changes necessary. Whilst every effort is made to adhere to the itinerary as provided, the company reserves the right to alter the touring and attractions as dictated by circumstances and conditions outside the company’s control.  Alterations may be made to ensure the smooth running of the tour.  Every attempt will be made to ensure alterations do not adversely affect the operation of the tour.  The company will not be held responsible for weather-based cancellations, or those closures made at the tour provider’s discretion.

Tranzit Tours will inform the customer as soon as practicable and will advise of any consequential price increase or decrease.

Insurance

Tranzit Tours recommend that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance to cover against things like lost or damaged luggage, accident or sickness, loss or theft of personal belongings and documents, or the need to cancel or shorten your tour.  Please note that special conditions will apply for pre-existing medical conditions with all travel insurance policies.

Health and Fitness

Tranzit Tours are generally able to accommodate most fitness abilities; however, some tours may require a certain level of physical fitness for full enjoyment of tour activities. The Customer must inform Tranzit Tours, at the time of booking, of any health or fitness restrictions that may limit participation of tour activities or put the Customer, tour staff or other customers at risk. The Customer acknowledges that their suitability for a tour, or any activity within a tour, is wholly the Customer’s responsibility.

Payment of a deposit by the Customer to secure a Tranzit Tour acts as a warranty that:

o   the Customer is reasonably healthy and/or fit to participate in the tour, and

o   the Customer does not have a health, physical condition or disability that would create risk to themselves, tour staff or other customers, and

o   the Customer indemnifies Tranzit Tours from all actions, claims and demands arising out of any want of health or fitness.

Tranzit Tours reserves the right to decline a booking on medical, health or fitness grounds at its sole discretion.

Tranzit Tours reserves the right to remove a Customer from a tour, or quarantine a Customer on tour, if their health and/or fitness interferes with the tour or staff safety or other Customers safety or tour experience in any way. Any additional costs associated with a Customer’s removal from tour or placement into quarantine, shall be borne by the Customer. Refunds will be made in accordance with these Terms and Conditions. 

Authority on Tour

Tranzit Tours are operated by staff with decision making authority while on tour. By travelling with Tranzit Tours, you agree to accept the authority of the driver/guide and their decisions are final in all matters likely to affect the wellbeing, safety or experience of any customer or staff member on board. Failure to adhere to reasonable requests or any inappropriate behaviour that is degrading the experience of other customers, may result in the Customer being removed from the tour. If a Customer is asked to leave a tour, any costs associated with returning home will be borne by the Customer and any unused portion of the tour will not be refunded.

Responsibilities

Tranzit Tours include goods and services provided by other operators such as hotels, attractions and transportation companies. Customers are advised to familiarise themselves with the terms and conditions on which these services are supplied. Accordingly, Tranzit Tours will not be responsible and will be excluded from liability for any loss, damage, omission or acts being negligent or otherwise, committed by other goods and service providers used in connection with the tour.

Tranzit Tours is not liable for any loss, damage, delay, or injury caused to the traveller or their baggage whilst under the care or control of a third-party provider. A Customer’s baggage and personal effects shall be carried at the owner’s risk as provided for under the Carriage of Goods Act.

Tranzit Tours is not responsible for any losses or additional expenses to the Customer due to tours impacted by Force Majeure events that occur prior to, or during, a tour such as but not limited to fire, flood, volcanic eruption, earthquake, avalanche, severe weather, power outages, labour disruptions, pandemic, government controls or other events outside Tranzit Tours control that interrupts the ability to operate the tour in full or in part, or if Tranzit Tours determines that the quality of the tour or the health and safety of the Customer would be compromised.

Acceptance of Risk

The Customer acknowledges that all Tranzit Tours may be subject to risks and dangers beyond that which might be experienced by the Customer at home. Except as provided in law, the Customer acknowledges that they assume all risk and Tranzit Tours is not liable for misadventure, death, injury, delay or loss which occurs during the tour.

Seat Rotation

For the enjoyment of all travellers Tranzit Tours operates a seat rotation system which all travellers must participate in as a condition of booking.

Photographs

Photographs used to market any Tranzit Tour depict typical scenes experienced, but the subject matter may not necessarily be seen or experienced whilst visiting a destination within a tour.

Whilst on tour, the Customer may be included in photographs and/or film taken by the guide or driver. These photographs may be used for future promotional advertising purposes and by booking on a Tranzit Tour the Customer authorises the use of any images they are captured in to be used without further consent or any payment of any kind. If the Customer does not authorise the use of their image for promotional purposes, they must make this known at the time of booking.

Privacy Policy

Any personal information that Tranzit Tours collects about the Customer may be used for any purpose associated with the operation of a tour or to send the Customer marketing material in relation to Tranzit Tour products. The information may be disclosed to our agents, service providers or other suppliers to enable Tranzit Tours to operate the tour. Tranzit Tours will otherwise treat your details in accordance with our privacy policy (available on our website).

Applicable Law

The laws of New Zealand govern these Terms and Conditions to the fullest extent allowable.

"A great team and very considerate of the travel group." Patsy